Description

Augustus was born September 23, 63 BC and died August 19, 14 AD. Named Gaius Octavius, he was the son of Gaius Octavius, a Roman Senator, and Atia, the niece of Julius Caesar.

Having achieved undisputed mastery of the Roman world in 30 BC, Cctavius set about restoring stability to the state after the disruption caused by decades of war. On January 16, 27 BC, the senate honored him by granting him the title Augustus, the name by which he is best known to prosperity. The assumption of this title by his successors was the means by which imperial status was transferred, so its original granting is generally taken to signify the commencement of the Roman Imperial period.

Much of Augustus’ long reign (41 years) was spent in carrying through major reform programs that were to set the pattern for most aspects of life in the empire for centuries to come. Public works were undertaken on a large scale, and Augustus could justly claim that he had “found Rome of brick and left it marble.”